Thursday, November 29, 2007

Silver Threads

Pyjamas designed to protect hospital patients from MRSA are going on sale at Marks & Spencer.

They are woven with two per cent silver thread in the lining.

M&S is offering the Sleep Safe pyjamas at 100 of its stores after tests showed garments containing silver can reduce the spread of superbug infections.

Such pyjamas have been trialled in a handful of hospitals.

An M& S spokesman said: "Silver is known for its infectionfighting properties and has been used by the military.

"The fabric has been clinically proven to reduce the risk of MRSA by killing bacteria that come into contact with it." ....However, Tony Kitchen, vicechairman of MRSA Support, said: "If they are like normal pyjamas, then the infection can still get in - because every body part is not covered up.

"It sounds like a gimmick. It cannot be a super-suit and probably doesn't make a jot of difference.

"The problem lies within the hospitals themselves. They are dirty and it shouldn't be up to the public to safeguard themselves."